The Reds manager Bryan Price, who I thought was their catcher, has a long way to go to catch up to ex-manager, Dusty Baker, on the Crazy-Meter, but naming Jonathan Broxton the closer a week before he’s even healthy, is a great start. Now Price needs to throw Latos 147 pitches in his first game back and he’ll be running a dead heat. Apparently, Broxton can’t only fill pants, he can fill shoes too. Dumpster Pants isn’t safe by any means, but when a crazy-as-a-fox manager names someone the closer, and he could be the closer for the next two months, I’d pick him up. Not literally, no one can pick up Broxton literally. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Michael Wacha – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 7 Ks matched testes against Tony Cingrani (7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 9 Ks). On the for really tip, it’s an old way of thinking to feel you need a pitcher like a Kershaw or Darvish or Wainwright when there’s guys like Cingrani, Wacha, Cole, Salazar, etc. However, not as old or perverse as when someone thinks to draft CC or Lincecum. I shudder.

Cody Asche – 1-for-4. Sandberg said he’s going to ease Asche into starting against lefties. I say take a cue from a mother fish and shoot the baby fish out of your fish vagina and let them swim!

Cole Hamels – Will make a rehab start on Sunday in Clearwater. I wonder if people who live there are constantly saying, “Hey, I can see my feet!”

Scott Kazmir – 7 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 5 Ks. *sitting up right* Oh, okay. That’s pretty. Here’s what I said in the rankings, “(Kazmir) could be a 200+ K pitcher with a low-3 ERA. But put ‘could’ in one hand and ‘is’ in the other hand and you have nothing in either hands. They’re words, why would they be in your hand? I imagine Kazmir will be drafted prior to me getting off the fence on him, but if not, I could see grabbing him late. He could be anywhere from a 2.75 ERA, 220 K guy to a 5+ ERA guy who is bumped from the rotation by June.” And that’s me quoting me! I’d definitely give Kazmir a little looksie, if you need starter help.

Jim Johnson – 2/3 IP, 3 ER. It’s a closepocalypse! No one’s safe! Though, I do think Johnson will be safe for a few more blown saves.

Odrisamer Despaigne – Padres close to signing the 95-MPH-throwing Cuban. It’s not clear if he’ll be a starter, reliever or if I spelled his name right.

Dustin Pedroia – 4-for-5, 2 runs. He came within one hit of hitting his height.

Aaron Harang – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 3 Ks vs. Matt Garza (8 IP, 1 ER, 3 baserunners, 7 Ks) as both pitchers went into the 7th inning without giving up a hit. Elias Sports Bureau said this was the first time since 1912 that two opposing pitchers had gone that deep into a game without a hit, but in that game there were only three hitters for either side due to a bout of the grip that affected the clubhouses.

Max Scherzer – 8 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks. He looked as dominant as ever until he switched jerseys in the dugout with Joe Nathan. Then he looked god-awful.

Ian Kinsler – 3-for-5, 2 RBIs and his first homer. Hey, Team Albright is off the schneid! By the by, schneid is my new favorite word. Before I was married, sex was my favorite word.

Jason Vargas – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 6 Ks. If the Royals knew he were going to pitch that well, they would’ve traded their top prospect for him!

Norichika Aoki – 0-for-4. Almost had an infield hit, but it was overturned by replay. How long until fantasy leagues have an Overturned Hits category?

Matt Moore – 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 4 Ks. “Looked really solid, came within seven pitches of striking out a dozen guys. A dozen Ks!!!” That’s what you should be emailing your leaguemates to see if you can trade Moore away, because he, in fact, did not look solid.

Mark Buehrle – 8 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 11 Ks. You know who owns him?! This guy with two thumbs, a stupid goofy smile and bad BO! That hideous team with no players over $20? It’s in first place. Yes, hashtag it’s early, but still. Oh, and there’s just as much chance Buehrle throws two innings next time out and gives up eight earned.

Jose Bautista – 2-for-3 and two home runs. One homer for each month his owners hope he doesn’t miss.

Sergio Santos – Came in with two outs in the ninth, threw a six-pitch walk and was pulled for Brett Cecil. I don’t even keep my gimp on that short of a leash. Santos was quickly named the closer replacement in Toronto, but the saves guest list is obviously Santos-plus one. For our porpoises — hey, dolphins! — it may as well be a committee.

Glen Perkins – 1 IP, 2 ER. With Perkins and Nathan’s blown saves, it was a bad day to be a chain restaurant closer. Luckily, J in the Brox isn’t closing yet.

Doug Fister – Will start playing catch on Thursday. I hope it’s with his son while his Labradoodle watches on. That would be touching.

Bryce Harper – 0-for-4. Before the game, he was tested for concussion symptoms. He gets those every day for s’s and g’s. They should’ve tested Matt Williams too for batting Harper sixth again without his supposed reason, Ramos, in the lineup. Matt Williams never struck me as a dumb jock, until about two days ago. Hopefully, the fact that the Nats won doesn’t help Williams justify his own stupidity.

Emilio Bonifacio – 5-for-7, 1 run, 2 steals. I’ve already told you to pick up Bonifacio about four times in three roundups. Be gone, Littlefinger!

Jason Grilli – 1 IP, 1 ER. More chain restaurant blown saves! Well, it’s Jason’s Deli, but still. Melancon also gave up a run in the 8th, so there’s no reason to panic yet. As George Orwell wrote, “The winds of change blow prominently in the future, but you want the winds blowing on your back in Pissburgh.” Actually, that might’ve just been a quote from a friend’s Facebook feed.

Taijuan Walker – Will start a rehab assignment on Friday. Yes, please and be careful!

Tim Lincecum – Could be scratched due to food poisoning. I guess the late night Cheetos, Hostess apple pie and gas station burrito didn’t agree with him.

Tim Hudson – 7 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 7 Ks. I see yesterday’s start from Buehrle, Haren and Hudson, and I wonder if there’s anything to vets being better in the early season months because they’re not tired yet. Sure, Sabathia goes against that, but his arm is just destroyed.

Dexter Fowler – 2-for-4, 2 runs and a home run. Member the other day when I said historically Fowler hits most of his homers in April? Yup.

Jarred Cosart – 5 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 3 Ks, as the hideous Astros pitchers continue to tame the Yankees. Steinbrenner is rolling over in his grave…and now looking at a picture of Big Dave Winfield! Who put that in there?

Josh Fields – 1 IP, 0 ER and his first save. There’s your Astros closer. It looks like it’s now Fields and the field.

Paul Maholm – Threw a bullpen session yesterday and will return to the Dodgers rotation on Saturday. Decent pick up for those that lost Kershaw and can only use Dodger starters.

Dan Haren – 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 6 Ks. There were seriously like ten games yesterday where the pitchers gave up less than two hits total. One of those games was not…

Giancarlo Stanton – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and a home run. Since this worked so well last year for Longoria, I’m going back to it for Stanton. Only 35 more homers to reach my projections. Stay healthy, my novio!

Carlos Gonzalez – 1-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI but left the game with dizziness. He kept seeing Charlie Blackmon, thinking it was Nick Cannon doing white face and CarGo needed to take a seat. It was all a bit much.

LaTroy Hawkins – 1 IP, 1 ER, but he converted the save. You can’t stop LaTroy (from giving up runs), you can only pray he doesn’t!

Ryan Howard – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and a home run off a lefty. So much for him being finished! I’m actually kidding. It’s too early to tell anything. He got into one and also struckout twice. Even a fat squirrel gets a cinnamon-toasted almond if it sits under a Mixed Nuts booth long enough.

Kyle Kendrick – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks. Kendrick’s the epitome of a pitcher I wouldn’t go near in mixed leagues, but would absolutely own in NL-Only leagues. Nothing exciting, but usually around a 4.00 ERA.

Jonathan Papelbon – 1/3 IP, 3 ER and another chain restaurant blown save, Papa John’s–I mean Papel Bon’s! (He used to have) Better stuff! (He used to be a) Better closer! Papel Bon’s! Lots of closers look like hot garbage left on the surface of the sun, but Papelbon looks headed for the DL with some mysterious ailment. I’ve already grabbed Bastardo in one league, you should look to do the same.

Yu Darvish – Will make his debut on Saturday in Tampa Bay, aka The City That Can Say, ‘At Least We’re Not St. Pete.’ Tampa Bay is pithier.

Derek Holland – Threw his first bullpen session. It was the first time he stood on a mound since his knee surgery. I wonder if he recognized it or if he felt like he was standing on a giant dirt boob.

Robbie Ross – 5 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 7 Ks. Conspiracy Theory Alert! Do you think a Federal Agent took Robbie Grossman, made him into a pitcher, and, then when the G-man left, he became Robbie Ross?

I’m stuck with CC and Lincecum in 2 leagues: one because of autodraft and one because of trade. I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on dropping them because they are so universally owned and I want to be able to take back the decision to drop them if they don’t suck this year. Overthinking it? (12 team standard Yahoo roto)

His FIP/xFIP at home was 3.47/3.26, and he actually allowed more homers at home than on the road. AT&T Park is one of the most HR-suppressing parks in baseball, so I’d expect him to allow fewer HR at home, which would drop his WHIP a couple points and his ERA by half a run or so. I can definitely see starting Lincecum at home in a 12 team league. For another point of reference, batters made contact on only 74.4% of swings in 2013. In 2009, that number was 74.9%. A little luck and he’s elite. At home. If you’re forced to start him on the road, only do it against a right handed heavy team, and not in a hitter’s park.

@Shoop Da Whoop: I’d be leery of Lincecum, I saw an interview early this spring where he said this year he was going to start pitching to contact more instead of striking people out. To confirm I wasn’t just dreaming this look at this artice:

” How are the Twins only on their 2nd game but already throwing out their fifth starter?”
hahahahahha

In my draft I punted saves because my league also has Holds. Now my Holds guys are turning into Save guys. So I’m punting Holds now? :s
With a mix and match of holds and saves guys I can’t win either of those categories because I don’t have too many pitchers who do both. Should I just trade away Guys like F.Rod now or stay put.

“Giancarlo Stanton – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and a home run. Since this worked so well last year for Longoria, I’m going back to it for Stanton. Only 35 more homers to reach my projections. Stay healthy, my novi”

Ha! Worked great for me with Longo gotta thank you for that, not got Stanton on any teams though this year…bummer!

@SteveNZ: Yeah, it’s been a shizz show for my teams as well…my RCL team, which is in the comfortably familiar 12th place, has an OF that is a combined 6 for 50. Braun, J. Upton, Holliday, Gordon, Venable and Rajai sure looked good on paper…

Soooooooo I log in to check all my teams tonight or this morning and see every team with the same theme…..below .100 in batting avg, 1 or 2 runs, no sb, 0-1 hrs….not to mention I had Kluber everywhere….that’s three days in a row now that my batting has stunk!!! …Gyroko, A. Jones, and the likes are stinking up the place….stop the bleeding….Please console me Grey and tell me this isnt gonna continue…My weed supply is dwindling….Plus thought: PONIES ARE RUNNING!!!! Oh yeah!

@Greyismyhero: My team is the only one in my RCL without a HR. Plus, the guys I picked up for the three games before the real opening day (Ethier, Dee Gordon, Chris Denorfia) have more RBIs than the rest of my team combined.

Hehe… Looks like Labradoodle is going to be a glossary term in basketball. When a guy is taking, and missing, terrible shot after terrible shot we decided we needed an S&M style safe word due to the extreme pain it causes our… umm… fantasy team. That word became labradoodle, and every possible variation there of.

@Jon:
Kluber did look awful. Command was nowhere to be found, but that wasn’t an issue for him in spring (k/bb being the least useless of the useless spring stats). Given what he did last year, and his potential this year, I just don’t see the need to make these drops so early. It’s 1 start, against a good team, on the road, in a game that was delayed. Cobb had a terrible start, but you wouldn’t consider dropping him right? One start shouldn’t make you throw out all the work you put in during the off season with player valuations.

@Alky Sobrera: thanks, and I hear you – seems like every year my teams get off to terrible starts and I have to be reminded not to make fantasy football like knee-jerk reactions. That said, I’m not really sure that Kluber is any better than Erasmo or Eovaldi, so just looking for some Greysdom.

@Project Merkin:
Without a look at your team, I’m almost entirely sure he’s not your 7th starter. That aside, if you need the saves, and it’s a shallow league, no need to carry 7 starters. Grab broxton.

@Project Merkin:
Holy crap. Nice rotation dude. I’d drop Kluber as the least likely to be picked up of the group then. Any DL slots?
Or trade moore if he can get a bit of a better start next time out. I’m stuck with him in one league because I got over-aggressive trying to price enforce. Trying to dump him at any cost. He still looks like he has no idea where his pitches are going. Might throw someone out at 2nd one day just by accident.

Stanton’s homerun was ridiculous. Off the bat for most hitters, it’d be one just short of the warning track. His carried well over the fence the other way. Farther than most hitters can pull a ball on a line. If he played in a normal park, 45+ dingers is fair game if he gets 600 PA.

Completely different looking than Fowler’s, which was a high fly that seem to barely make it over the wall. Clear power hitter vs. non-power hitter ball trajectory.

Not sure what to think about Tyson Ross. Poor control all spring, but clearly the stuff is still there so he’s probably not hurt and just a mechanical issue. But if it is easy to fix he would have fixed it by now. Glad I sat him.

If my league’s draft occurred later I would have taken Kazmir instead. Had the two of them on top of my list and opted for the NL guy.

Dropped Santos for Bastardo, ain’t no one got time for that committee b.s.! I’m digging my Milla/Cano/Smoak fisherman trifecta of jawsome-ness so far. Did you notice Milla bats without gloves? Does that make him the Vanilla Vladimir Guerrero? freshhhhh

@Fireball Feliz: If, and that’s a giant IF, Bastardo actually becomes the closer than I suppose he has the chance to be the closer the whole year if everything goes his way. But, and this is also a giant BUT, Santos IS already the closer, for now at least. Also, with Janssen and his injuries who knows how much time Santos spends as the closer.

A bird in the hand is worth two hands in the bush, or something like that!

@ScottyM:
This is what I’ve been telling myself since I saw the box score. Seriously hope it’s the case. Plausible enough. On the other hand, 2 games and Santos has been wild in both. I feel like if he hadn’t walked a guy, maybe Gibbons might not have played the matchup. I dunno.

@Alky Sobrera: I was watching the game so I’ll say this. If Santos hadn’t walked the guy the game would be over, so there would be no conversation about any of this. Actually, if Lawrie hadn’t made what should have been called an error on a liner with 2 out the game would have ended with a complete game for Buehrle.

Joyce is a big splits guy, and the Jays were watching a complete game shutout start to turn into a potential loss. Gibbons was scared and wanted to make sure he ended it right then and there by bringing in a very good lefty to get Joyce out.

@A Hill O’ Beans:
I meant if it was a hit rather than a walk. Obviously if he’d gotten the out, game over. That being said, I agree with you abouy Joyce and wanting to take advantage of his splits. As someone who didn’t watch, I defer to you and hope you’re right for the sake of many of my teams.

Is Bastardo the clear next in line in philly despite last year’s nonsense? I know he was next in line last year, and he looked fine in his only appearance this year, but I’ve yet to see him discussed as the guy to handcuff Papsmear with.

@Red Barons:
Isn’t Adams on that staff? Plus bastardo coming off that 50 game absence. I see the case for him, just a bit wary of grabbing a backup, who might not be the backup, to take up a spot on the roster.

@Alky Sobrera: I didn’t realize Adams closed before. Bastardo did a couple years ago when Lidge and Madson went down. Also, Adams is on the DL more than he’s off it.

I see what you are saying about not wanting to grab somebody yet, but unless Paps gets some movement and/or speed on his pitches, he’s not going to last long, especially seeing from the small sampling of how Ryno is managing. I don’t see anybody else in the pen that could step up other than Bastardo and maybe Diekman. The Phils have no money or prospects to throw at another established reliever. I took the chance and picked him up. If nothing happens at least I’ll get some nice K action.

@Red Barons:
Fair point on adams. Definitely not a paragon of health that guy. Haven’t watched Paps pitch this year either, but I don’t doubt that he looks like garbage after seeing his lines and recalling games from last year. Let’s see what kind of leash 13mil buys eh?
As for bastardo, another fair point. There are worse speculative save adds given his Ks.

Paxton, Hudson and Morton looked great last night, picked up Paxton greatest upside, great ballpark. I dropped yet another closer Santos because can’t trust there situation in Toronto with Cecil. WTF with these closers. Can Axford be trusted?

@los locos:
Don’t be el loco. Grey isn’t going to tell you to drop a guy he ranked in the top 75 after 2 days. If you like smoak, drop someone else for him. You shouldn’t be dropping anyone that high for the “hot” bat after a few days. Come on now.

Trying to pick two out of De Aza, Fowler, and Gardner. Looking more at SB and R than HR, but then again, I’m always looking at HR! Already checked the rankings and they are all fairly close, but wasn’t sure if playing time projections or batting order had changed anything yet?

Additionally, are We (royally) all in on Smoak? Over the Colorado Concusstador?

First time, long time… Standard points league… I’m being offered Freddie Freeman for Altuve & Soria.

Already have The Hoz and Rizzo at 1b and CI, so FF would be booting Morneau from the Util spot. I’d be sliding Wong to 2b and probably picking up Owings to play MI. Still would have Jansen and Street as closers.

Should I do the deal? I’m reaching out cause my ATL-love for FF is blinding me.

@Jermo: I know you are not asking me, but I caught the first inning before going to bed (east coast) and I thought – man, this guy is gonna get hit hard tonight. Surprised to wake up and see the night he had. If you didn’t get to see him throw here’s an MLB recap. Throwing 98mph in the sixth inning from the left hand side is no joke. 6’4″ long stride, southpaw with empathic and sad puppy dog eyes.

Somehow (and not wisely) I managed buying Middlebrooks, Arenado, Bogaerts, and Alvarez at auction. I just couldn’t say no when each came up for bid. These four jokers cost me a combined $50, are hitting a combined 4 for 35, and left me with an undesirable glut at 3B. Also, surprise! No one is interested in trading for 3B.

Lesson for all of you? DO NOT DRINK TOO MUCH GUNNIESS AT YOUR DRAFT!!!

@Fungazi: Heh. I’m not panicking. I agree. It is early. I’m just thinking – what the hell am I doing with four third basemen??:) At least Bogaerts will soon qualify for short. Still – not my best draft. Example – Wong starting at 2b. Yeah…Guinness.

@ashtray: I didn’t have the intention to punt saves, but the way everybody was drafting closers I said, “forget this.” Picked up Melancon and Brothers at the end of the draft hoping they will take over at some point. If not, they’ll help with K, WHIP, and ERA with some vulture Ws and SVs.

@ashtray: I don’t think Santos was ever going to be “stealing the job for the rest of the season”. I do think he’s still going to be closing until Janssen comes back, this was strictly a lefty/lefty matchup thing last night. Janssen is pretty injury prone though, so who knows when he comes back and how long he stays healthy for.

On a side note, I can’t believe how many people are talking about dropping Santos (or actually already have) after last night.

“Giancarlo Stanton – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and a home run. Since this worked so well last year for Longoria, I’m going back to it for Stanton. Only 35 more homers to reach my projections. Stay healthy, my novi”

Ha! Worked great for me with Longo gotta thank you for that, not got Stanton on any teams though this year…bummer!

I seem to be a jinx for whoever I pick in the first 2 rounds. I should probably start letting everyone here know that before I draft. Last year it was Pujols and Stanton. The year before it was Upton and Longoria. This years lucky losers are Jones and Fielder.

I’d like to pick up Bonifacio but who do I drop then:
Asche
Garcia
Bourjos
De Aza
Gyorko
Or some pitcher like Robbie Ross or Rick Porcello

So I didn’t listen to SON yesterday and started Kluber in one league, it’s telling me not to start Ventura today. Should I listen to that whacky robot or does Uncle Grey support my ” But I love Ventura and want to start him” stance…?

@Ralph Lifshitz: My lowly self is sitting him in my most important league. Road start and the fact the Tigers have only scored six runs in two games. Waiting for them to explode. There’s also a chance of rain in the 40s – cold and wet and the kids first start against the Central champs? Nah…I can wait until his next start at home versus Tampa or maybe even @ Houston two starts from now. Not sure if it’s the 7AM two-day old fish tacos or intuition but something in the gut says sit on the toilet. I take “sit” to be a sign.

Autodrafted part of my draft so I have 4 1b and can only start 3 of them in a daily h2h points league that gives -1 for strikeouts. I have Prince/EE/Pujols/Hosmer. Have 5OF spots with AJones/Heyward/Eaton/Aoki/Span. Trying to trade 1b for an OF. Please rank the best offers to make (if any) or just hold and plug the extra 1b in when one of the other 3 sits for a day:

Just wanted to say thanks Grey for touching on Paxton a couple times in the treads a few days ago! I picked him up before his start and he looked awesome. Struck out the side and struck out 5 of 6 at one point. Hit 96 on the radar gun with ease and topped at 98. Being a young arm and in that div he seems like a solid upside “buy” candidate.

Hi Grey! I have Wong at 2B and would like to upgrade, but I’m having trouble evaluating his upside. Would you trade Rizzo for Gyorko to replace Wong? Does the gap between Wong and Gyorko justify that? Avisail Garcia is on my bench and would replace Rizzo as the regular UTIL. So I would go from Wong-Rizzo (and Garcia on the bench) to Gyorko-Garcia (and drop Wong for a new bench player).

Very funny stuff today! … I think it might be time to have someone from a major network ask… “How to I get into the Grey business?” Quick one for you, do I drop Brandon Phillips or Coco for Billy Butler or Curtis Granderson. My guess is no, but just figured I’d ask.

I have been only playing this game for five years, but I have never seen such a mess at closer since I have started. I have learned here and elsewhere, don’t pay for saves, but the carnage and fallout is driving me a little nuts.

When I am looking at this list, trying to determine some sort of order:

@Moronymous Lohse: Pittsburgh looks like it’s gonna be close – like they could get through six or so innings before the weather shows up. That makes it an even trickier decision. Two maybe three ABs in a game qualifying after five innings.

not sure yet. if i’m to believe projections, I’m projected to total ~230 HRs and ~140 steals, but its a H2H league and our league’s stat distributions are far from determined. So I’m just looking for long-term upside.

As a Mariners fan, I think this first series says a lot more about LAA’s pitching (starters and bullpen) than it does the M’s hitters (though I do think improvement is clearly established and I won’t argue against it). We all knew the Angels weren’t the best staff but they look like one to pick on right now.

Haha, every M’s fan after Bavasi squated and dropped one on us is damaged. I do think they’re going to be an improved team. I also think that beating this year’s ‘the only team we’re gonna beat in our division is the Astros’ Angels isn’t something to be be pounding our chests over. OAK series will be a good testing point for how improved.

Oh sure but pitching has never really been the problem. I think Lloyd has improved the mindset of the younger hitters dramatically and the results show that. But I’d like to see them face a good team and how they respond to a bullpen that wasn’t 5th worst last year and off to a poor start this year.

@Sky: Was talking to my buddy up in Seattle last night. Long time Mariner fan. He said to tell you not to worry if anyone is doing really good this year they will trade them for older more experienced players at the trade dead line. And you can always look forward to the relief pitching imploding.

Ha, now THAT’s a bitter M’s fan. I do believe Lloyd is having a good influence on the young guys as hitters. I could see them challenging for second (assuming health all around to all teams). Texas’ SP is messy right now, LAA’s is worse and HOU will be interesting in a year or two once the young pups start getting their feet wet.

I said they look improved, though. Merely pointed out that LAA is gonna have to win a lot of games 9-8 because their staff isn’t that good and look forward to the M’s facing a better staff. I don’t see how people are taking it as me saying they’re bad.

@J-FOH: i never saw Ren and Stimpy. That’s weird that they let children watch that. I would let children watch that (but then again I ain’t having no children), but i was watching slasher films all the time at like age 7 or so. Ever since Evil Dead 2.

Being that I just lost Parnell and KRod, Valverde and Lindstrom were all taken above me in waivers last night, what would be your order of preference from the following guys available on the wire? I you can rank them great because I’m going to have to put in 4 requests so I don’t miss out again.

I need a reality check. How far gone is CC? Drop him for a Paxton or Eovoldi type starter? Other options on the wire..Feldman, Jackson, Vargas or Buehrle or just wait and see? My other pitchers are YU, Hamels, Ervin Santana, Erasmo, Porcello, Odorizzi. I wasn’t very aggressive with pitcher in the draft (yu was a keeper)…and due to early injuries and CC’s bad performance, I feel pressed.

@Grey:
People are bashing CC, but his defense was terrible that game (I watched it). Its gonna take the yanks a little to get it together. There is only one regular from last year (brett gardner). Not promoting CC, but I am not taking very much from his 1st start.

Hey grey,
Rajai, villar, alexei, escobar or venable for SB?
I tend to add rajai. He doesnt play evey day but at the end of the day he will end up stealing the Most bags right? I am very light on speed…

Hey Grey, looks like Schoop is going to be platooning the 2b job now. Dozier and Neil Walker are both available. Should I drop schoop for one of them? Also out there, Alberto Callaspo, with better stats than them all!

@Wake Up: Not sure if I should be happy Yordano gets to skip and away start in Detroit or if I am annoyed he wont be getting me stats today… or for a few days it seems since they are skipping his rotation spot.

You’ve recommended LaTroy and Santos over Broxton above. Does that change if I’m holding Chapman on the DL? Because of roster restrictions, none of these guys go in my starting lineup, though Chapman will when he’s back. Should I secure CIN saves, or hold Santos and LaTroy?

While going through the waiver wire, considering trades, and pleading for assistance on your message boards, I often think to myself WWGD (What Would Grey Do). Which inevitably leads me to second guess myself and yell FMFBBL! Maybe I should go get a decal in the form of a thick well groomed mustache as a reminder of proper FBB strategy. It would probably make all those people with a Jesus Fish jealous.

2 days ago I trade Ortiz/Kinsler for Fielder/Lawrie. Losing my H2H matchup because of it. I know it’s only day 4, but still stings to see a guy I trade hit HR, let alone both of them on the same day. Someone give Prince a cheeseburger.

Pedro Alvarez might be getting locked in earlier than he typically does this year; missed a HR by a couple of feet. Would be scary if he came to play in April/May. Most of his work has been done in Jun/July/Aug months the last two years.

Or, same league I already have Rosenthal, Soria and Jannsen (hopefully back soon).
I grabbed K-Rod the other day. Would you rather hold K-Rod or snag Paxton.
Sounds like K-Rod could be giving way to Jim Henderson soon.

For dynasty purposes, would you trade Cargo for guys like Harper or Heyward (obviously getting an extra player as well)? Having Cargo in my dynasty league for the last 5 years has been fun when he’s actually playing, but he’s always getting hurt or missing time. Maybe the same song and dance from him regarding missed time each year has made me impatient and I shouldn’t be looking to move him, but I wanted to see what you thought.

Just read Matt Williams saying that he wants to get Espinosa in the lineup frequently which means Rendon will sit sometimes, I guess once or twice a week. And Rendon is raking to start the season. Damn.

We are going deep down my bench and roster but wanted to know your thoughts moving forward for Dee Gordon….He is playing 2nd and already has SS eligibility…I wouldn’t mind using a last spot on the bench for a guy who can play both MI spots. I know what Dee Gordon is statistically speaking but will he get enough at bats and playing time to make it worth while?

wasn’t it just last night that
Jfoh , Prezii and Rudy (Son)
were saying to grab wandy for today’s game ?
guess i gotta choose my prayer circles/circle jerks
more carefully .
yeah , it’s early still ,
but the next time those 3 agree on something ,
i hope to remember that their standards
might be lower than mine .

Someone needs to Ro-Sham-Bo Bryce Harper. Forget the knee to the head. Dude needs a KNEE – to the HEAD! 1/10 with six K’s!? Surely he was facing the Cardinals staff. Oh wait – the freakin’ front line starters of the Mets! Big chinned, floppy haired, muscle bound whiff machine. I pass gas at you.

I don’t need an outfielder, I’m just a poor mets fan. But do you think Juan Legares is for real? Granted we’re three games in so you can’t really judge too much but it’s going to be hard when Young comes back to not give the kid playing time.

No one was talking about Paxton as a young pitcher who could blow up this season, but he’s been lights out with a lot of K’s since his cup of coffee at the end of last season. I would keep an eye on him in mixed leagues, I own him in 2 deep leagues but might be picking him up in shallower leagues pretty soon. I think he’s better than Ian Kennedy and some of these other guys. Definitely CC Sabathia and guys like that. Just throwin’ it out there.

@Grey: Dunn goes yard. Jay tweeted me. Best day ever….for this season….because all my teams suck….and why the he’ll did I draft matt moore. ….and drop fields in some leagues because I had to rosterbate

My 10 team (40 man roster, no waiver wire) CBS dynasty team is killin’ it right now (thanks Grey!) but, as I expected I am woefully slow. In acts of not so quiet desperation I’ve been trying to convince someone to trade me someone, anyone that can swipe bags. No avail. So today I offered de Aza for Bonifacio and got a bite. Am I going to cry in my beer in three weeks when the real BonerFace returns?

“Kevin Gausman has been scratched from his start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
It’s not injury-related, as the Orioles are looking ahead to the possibility of bad weather in Detroit on Friday. Gausman could be called up to start if there’s a doubleheader on Saturday. ”

Any hope for this team?
With nine bench spots, the wire’s pretty thin, but a few usable pieces like Chris Johnson, Avisail, Venable, Hart, Bastardo, Josh Johnson and Kyle Kendrick still available – any of those guys an upgrade to what I’ve got, and if so, who would you drop for them?

@Grey: Haha, yes…running high on stress, low on sleep lately, so not even sure how that happened when I look at it now.
Thanks for the tips – just received an offer of Segura for Kenley, which I feel like I need to take. Green light?

hey grey,
I saw that Fister wasn’t able to start his throwing program today. I’m starting to get more concern. In a league w/ no DL spot would you drop Fister? i just have a gut feeling this is leading to a bad outcome later this year.

@Grey: thanks – and someone dropped Ramos in our 2 catcher league. I’ve got Perez (and the heart and soul of his Abuelita), along with Pierzynski who is not going to be fun to own — should I grab Ramos and stash him? keeper league.

In the first 125 years of recorded baseball statistical history no team struck out more time than it had hits in a season. Happened for the first time in 2001. Last year there were 5 teams with more k’s than hits.

Yeah Billy was an SS last year, that’s why I used the comp. Taveras is fair. So maddening when speedsters can’t get on base to use it. I liked Revere coming into the year as well but I was being greedy. Wanted all my speed coming from my IF. Viva la Escobar/Villar/Gordon!

@Grey: Yeah, it’s great shizz. Funny how you miss the little things. Like a good pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich after a night at the bar. And there are no friggin diners up here. Wtf? All IHOPs and other chains. No legit cheesesteaks. Just “steak sandwiches.” Dah!

I have a few beers in me, and haven’t eaten much today, in case you were wondering…

Somebody in my league got tired of Mostsuckass real quick and dropped him already. Is it worth picking him up and dropping either Freese or Middlebrooks while I wait for Macho Man to come off the DL? Or just stand pat? God bless your ‘stache.

Trade B.Miller for Rosario or Lucroy or just hold? I have Segura starting at SS and B.Miller is my bench bat. I dropped Ramos and picked up Salty and other team lost Reyes and has 2 catchers in a 1 catcher league for some reason.

what youse think about nunez possibly going to DET or TEX. this is only relavant at ALL since i’ll be trying to waiver these schlubs tonight in this order and was wondering if grabbing nunez for a week to see if he gets released/traded (cause i know he’s worth more than these guys if he starts)
a.gonzalez
tonkin (he’s not a schlub and can stash in minors)
furcal
j.diaz
izturis
if you agree he’s got a decent shot at making a roster where would you slot him. i have 2 spots in active roster (furcal and tonkin go str to minors/injury reserved)

due to being 2nd best team (as of end of Wed night) i missed out on a.gonzalez and furcal. was able to get Tonkin (probably best RP free agent), and Diaz. Also everyone forgot Wilson 2B TEX is also a starter. So i just picked him up too. It’ll be another 7 or so games till Diaz even qualifies at MI. which of those schomohawks should i start when they both qualify? Could’ve just benched whole roster till wed and gotten alex gonzalez instead.

12 team keeper, standard 5×5, 25 player roster/23 starters with 2C. My hitters are fine, and my 4/5/6th OFers (6th typically on the bench cause I have VMart at UTIL) are Brantley, Avisail and Bourjos. My pitching has been really rough – went cheap and lost a couple to injury and Kluber, ugh. Have Homer Bailey, Gio, Teheran (ok, I didn’t go that cheap at the top end), Kluber and Randall Delgado at SP. Won 2 “closers” today in the FAAB auction, so have Jansen, Soriano, Hunter, Lindstrom and Valverde.

Have a chance to trade Jansen + Brantley + Hunter for Greinke + Wheeler. I know you weren’t a huge Greinke fan this year, but he’s still solid. Wheeler is close to what is available on the wire (Skaggs, Perez, that type), but he won’t do just Jansen + Brantley for Greinke, so the 2nd closer on my side and Wheeler on his side is the best I can do. I’d still have 3 “closers” and will have shored up my rotation big time.

I tried a few one closer for one starter offers (Salazar was my goal), but got shot down. Thoughts?